Cat litter box

Abstract

This makes cleaning easier. [Solution] The cat litter box 1 comprises a container member 2 having a first opening 2O1 that opens upward U and a first storage space 2S, a lid member 3 positioned above U of the container member 2 and closing the first opening 2O1, and a urine tank 5 positioned in the first storage space 2S. The urine tank 5 has a urine storage space 5S for storing cat urine UR and a second opening 5O that opens upward U in the vertical direction Z and communicates with the urine storage space 5S. The lid member 3 has a third opening 3O that opens downward D in the vertical direction Z and an inclined surface 3F that allows urine UR to flow towards the third opening 3O by gravity. The lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 are configured so that urine UR flows from the lid member 3 to the urine tank 5 through the second opening 5O and the third opening 3O. The lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 are configured to be removable from the container member 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cat litter box. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various proposals have been made regarding litter boxes for animals such as cats. For example, Patent Document 1 has proposed a cat litter box set that facilitates cleaning and uses excrement treatment material (cat litter) formed mainly of bentonite. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-93517 Summary of Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in conventional cat litter boxes, there has been a problem that some parts cannot be easily cleaned because certain parts are fixed to other parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cat litter box that can facilitate cleaning. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the cat litter box according to the present invention comprises a container member having a first opening that opens upward and a first storage space, a lid member positioned above the container member and closing the first opening, and a urine tank positioned in the first storage space, wherein the urine tank has a urine storage space for storing cat urine and a second opening that opens upward in the vertical direction and communicates with the urine storage space, the lid member has a third opening that opens downward in the vertical direction and has an inclined surface that allows the urine to flow towards the third opening by gravity, the lid member and the urine tank are configured such that the urine flows from the lid member to the urine tank through the second and third openings, and the lid member and the urine tank are configured to be removable from the container member. The lid member further has a lid-side cylindrical portion projecting downward from the lid member at the periphery of the third opening. The urine tank further has a tank-side cylindrical portion at the periphery of the second opening. The area of ​​the tank-side opening formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion is larger than the area of ​​the lid-side opening formed by the lid-side cylindrical portion. When the urine tank is placed in a predetermined regular position inside the container member, the lid-side cylindrical portion is positioned above the tank-side cylindrical portion in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Because the cat litter box according to the present invention has the above configuration, it can be easily cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cat litter box according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container components of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lid component of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover component of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the urine tank of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the cat litter provided in the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of the cap and on / off valve of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cap and on / off valve shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the container member body and the movable wall in the container member shown in Figure 4. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII shown in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a plan view showing the container member body and movable wall in the container member shown in Figure 4. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the case where the first hook portion and the hole portion are engaged in the connecting mechanism of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sequence of steps involved in arranging the urine tank, which is located outside the container body, into its proper position inside the container body. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sequence of steps involved in arranging the urine tank, which is located outside the container body, into its proper position inside the container body. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sequence of steps involved in arranging the urine tank, which is located outside the container body, into its proper position inside the container body. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sequence of cases where the urine tank is placed outside the container body and where the urine tank is placed in its normal position inside the container body. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of a cat litter box according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the cat litter box shown in Figure 19. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the cap and on / off valve of a cat litter box according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22]Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the cat litter box according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a perspective view showing a state where the auxiliary tray shown in Figure 22 is arranged above the fall prevention member. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a perspective view showing the position of the auxiliary tray in the lid member shown in Figure 22. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a plan view showing the movable wall and the urine container in the cat litter box according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a side view showing the movable wall and the urine container in the cat litter box shown in Figure 25. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a side view showing a state where the urine container is arranged at a regular position inside the container member in the cat litter box shown in Figure 25. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a side view showing the operation of taking the urine container out of the container member in the cat litter box shown in Figure 25. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0009] [Embodiment] (An embodiment) of the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configuration can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0010] [First Embodiment] The cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment is, for example, a toilet for pet cats raised indoors. Hereinafter, the configuration of the cat litter box 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container member 2 included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lid member 3 included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover member 4 included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the urine tank 5 included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the cat litter CS included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a side view of the cap 7 and on-off valve 8 included in the cat litter box 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cap 7 and on-off valve 8 shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the container member body 21 and the movable wall 22 in the container member 2 shown in Figure 4. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a plan view showing the container member body 21 and the movable wall 22 in the container member 2 shown in Figure 4. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the case where the engaging portion 2232 and the hole portion 54H are engaged in the connecting mechanism ME3 of the cat litter box shown in Figure 1.

[0012] The cat litter box 1 has a front-to-back direction X, a width direction Y, and a vertical direction Z. The front-to-back direction X is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the cat litter box 1. The width direction Y is, for example, the short direction of the cat litter box 1. The front-to-back direction X, the width direction Y, and the vertical direction Z are mutually orthogonal. The front-to-back direction X includes a forward direction F, which is one side of the front-to-back direction X, and a backward direction D, which is the other side of the front-to-back direction X. Furthermore, the width direction Y includes a first direction L, which is one side of the width direction Y, and a second direction R, which is the other side of the width direction Y. Furthermore, the vertical direction Z includes an upward direction U, which is one side of the vertical direction Z, and a downward direction D, which is the other side of the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the horizontal plane is a plane that is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z.

[0013] The cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container member 2, a lid member 3, a cover member 4, a urine tank 5, cat litter CS, a fall prevention member 6, a step member 11, a cap 7, an on / off valve 8, a scoop 91, a holder 92, a flushing water tank 93, a first guide mechanism ME1, a second guide mechanism ME2, and a connecting mechanism ME3.

[0014] The container member 2, lid member 3, cover member 4, urine tank 5, fall prevention member 6, cap 7, scoop 91, holder 92, and washing water tank 93 are formed from, for example, synthetic resin.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the container member 2 is positioned at the lowest point D in the vertical direction Z of the cat litter box 1. As shown in Figure 4, the container member 2 has a first opening 2O1 that opens upward U and a first storage space 2S for accommodating the urine tank 5. More specifically, the container member 2 comprises a container member body 21 and a movable wall 22 that is movably provided relative to the container member body 21. The movable wall 22 can be assembled to and detached from the container member body 21.

[0016] The container member body 21 comprises a pair of first opposing walls 21L, 21R facing each other in the width direction Y, a pair of second opposing walls 21F, 21B facing each other in the front-rear direction X, and a bottom wall 21D positioned downward D in the vertical direction Z. A fourth opening 2O2 is formed in the second opposing wall 21F located forward F in the front-rear direction X, and the opening penetrates the second opposing wall 21F in the front-rear direction X. The fourth opening 2O2 is closed by a movable wall 22.

[0017] A through-hole 21H is formed in the first opposing wall 21R located in the second direction R in the width direction Y, penetrating the first opposing wall 21R in the width direction Y. The cat owner can then visually check the amount of urine UR (see Figure 2) stored in the urine tank 5 located inside the container member 2 through the through-hole 21H.

[0018] On the bottom wall 21D, an upper surface 21DF is formed in front of a pair of second guide walls GU2 in the front-rear direction X, and is part of the first guide mechanism ME1. The upper surface 21DF is configured to be parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0019] The urine tank 5 can be inserted into and removed from the first storage space 2S through the fourth opening 2O2, and the urine tank 5 can also be inserted into and removed from the first storage space 2S through the first opening 2O1.

[0020] For example, if the cat litter box 1 is only slightly soiled and urine UR is stored in the urine tank 5, the urine tank 5 is moved in and out of the first storage space 2S through the fourth opening 2O2, as described later.

[0021] On the other hand, if the cat litter box 1 is quite dirty and urine UR is stored in the urine tank 5, then, as described later, the parts that make up the cat litter box 1 are disassembled, cleaned in their disassembled state, and when assembling the cleaned parts, the urine tank 5 is moved in and out of the first storage space 2S through the first opening 2O1.

[0022] The container member body 21 has ribs 2R1 arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction X.

[0023] The container member 2 further comprises a pair of first guide walls GU1 and a pair of second guide walls GU2.

[0024] A pair of first guide walls GU1 are arranged facing each other in the width direction Y and are formed in a plate shape. Each of the first guide walls GU1 is also formed to extend in the front-to-back direction X. The pair of first guide walls GU1 are arranged on the bottom wall 21D such that the distance between the opposing surfaces of the pair of first guide walls GU1 is slightly greater than the width dimension Y of the urine tank 5. In other words, in the width direction Y, it is possible to place the urine tank 5 between the opposing surfaces of the pair of first guide walls GU1.

[0025] Furthermore, each of the first guide walls GU1 has a first guide surface GU1F on its upper surface in the vertical direction Z, on the front F side in the front-to-back direction X (see Figure 11). The first guide surface GU1F constitutes part of the second guide mechanism ME2, which will be described later. The first guide surface GU1F is configured to be parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0026] The pair of second guide walls GU2 are arranged to face each other in the width direction Y. Each of the second guide walls GU2 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the front-to-back direction X.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, a container-side inclined surface GU2F1, which constitutes part of the first guide mechanism ME1 described later, is formed on the front F side of each second guide wall GU2 in the front-rear direction X. Furthermore, a sliding surface GU2F2, which constitutes part of the first guide mechanism ME1 described later, is formed on the upper U side of each second guide wall GU2 in the vertical direction Z. In addition, a stopper surface GU2F3, which constitutes part of the first guide mechanism ME1 described later, is formed on the rear B side of each second guide wall GU2 in the front-rear direction X.

[0028] The container-side inclined surface GU2F1 is a plane that is inclined upward U and forward F. The container-side inclined surface GU2F1 works in cooperation with the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 to move the urine tank 5 upward.

[0029] The sliding surface GU2F2 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The sliding surface GU2F2 works in cooperation with the sixth opposing wall 51D to maintain the posture of the urine tank 5 when it moves in the front-to-back direction X. More specifically, the sliding surface GU2F2 and the sixth opposing wall 51D work together so that the urine tank 5 moves in the front-to-back direction X while the sixth opposing wall 51D and the sixth opposing wall 51U maintain their posture along the horizontal plane.

[0030] The stopper surface GU2F3 is a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The stopper surface GU2F3 works in cooperation with the fifth opposing wall 51B to restrict the rearward movement of the urine tank 5 in the front-rear direction X.

[0031] The movable wall 22 comprises a movable wall body 221, a pair of elastically deformable parts 222L and 222R, a first hook part 223, and a handle 224. When viewed from the front-rear direction X, the movable wall body 221 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, for example.

[0032] The pair of elastic deformable sections 222L and 222R are formed symmetrically with respect to a virtual bisector in the width direction Y. Therefore, the elastic deformable section 222R located in the second direction R in the width direction Y will be described below, and the elastic deformable section 222L located in the first direction L in the width direction Y will not be described.

[0033] The elastically deformable portion 222R has an arm portion 2221 that extends along the front-rear direction X, a tip portion 2222 located on the rear B side in the front-rear direction X of the arm portion 2221, and a projection portion 2223 provided on the tip portion 2222. The projection portion 2223 protrudes away from each other in the pair of elastically deformable portions 222L and 222R.

[0034] The pair of elastically deformable parts 222L and 222R having this configuration are deformable in the width direction Y such that the two protrusions 2223 move closer to and further apart from each other. The pair of protrusions 2223 constitute a part of the second guide mechanism ME2.

[0035] As shown in Figure 13, the first hook portion 223 comprises a rod-shaped portion 2231 that extends along the front-rear direction X, and an engaging portion 2232 located on the rear B side in the front-rear direction X of the rod-shaped portion 2231 and projecting upward U in the vertical direction Z. The first hook portion (hook portion) 223 constitutes a part of the coupling mechanism ME3 described later. Furthermore, the engaging portion 2232 in this embodiment is formed like a cat's paw.

[0036] The handle 224 is attached to the front F side in the front-rear direction X of the movable wall 22.

[0037] The container member 2 further includes a pair of guide plates GU3 and a positioning member 25 that determines the position of the guide plates GU3 in the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y. A second guide surface GU3F is formed on the lower D side of the guide plate GU3 in the vertical direction Z. The second guide surface GU3F constitutes part of the second guide mechanism ME2, which will be described later.

[0038] The lid member 3 shown in Figure 3 is positioned above the container member 2 U and is formed in a tray-like (dish-like) shape that closes the first opening 2O1. The lid member 3 is also formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the lid member 3 has a third opening 3O that opens downward D in the vertical direction Z. The lid member 3 also has an inclined surface 3F that allows urine UR to flow towards the third opening 3O due to the action of gravity.

[0039] The inclined surface 3F is composed of, for example, a first inclined surface 3F1 located in front F in the front-rear direction X, a second inclined surface 3F2 located in rear B in the front-rear direction X, a third inclined surface 3F3 located on the first side L in the width direction Y, and a fourth inclined surface 3F4 located on the second side R in the width direction Y.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the lid member 3 has a lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 on the periphery of the third opening 3O. The lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 is formed to protrude downward D from the periphery of the third opening 3O. The area of ​​the opening 3O2 formed by the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 is approximately the same as the area of ​​the lid member-side opening 3O2.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the lid member 3, having this configuration, is positioned above the container member 2 (U). For example, if a cat owner lifts the lid member 3 upwards, the lid member 3 can be removed from the container member 2.

[0042] The cover member 4 is positioned above the container member 2 in the vertical direction Z, U. The cover member 4 has a pair of third opposing walls 41L, 41R that face each other in the width direction Y, a connecting wall 41B that connects the pair of third opposing walls 41L, 41R, and a return portion 41A.

[0043] Furthermore, the cover member 4 has a second containment space 4S through which a cat can defecate, formed by a pair of third opposing walls 41L, 41R and a connecting wall 41B. In addition, the cover member 4 has a fifth opening 4O in the front-rear direction X, facing the connecting wall 41B and formed between the front ends of the pair of third opposing walls 41L, 41R. Through the fifth opening 4O, a cat can enter and exit the second containment space 4S.

[0044] The return portion 41A is formed to protrude in the width direction Y from one of the pair of third opposing walls 41L to the other third opposing wall 41L. The return portion 41A can prevent cat litter CS that has adhered to the cat from scattering outside the cat litter box 1.

[0045] The cover member 4, having this configuration, is positioned above the container member 2 (U). For example, if the cat owner lifts the cover member 4 upwards, the cover member 4 can be removed from the container member 2.

[0046] The urine tank 5 is placed in the first containment space 2S of the container member 2. Such a urine tank 5 is formed of, for example, a light-transmitting synthetic resin material. The urine tank 5 has a tank body 51, a tank-side cylindrical portion 52 formed on the tank body 51, an inclined surface 53, a gripping portion 54, and a tank projection 55.

[0047] The tank body 51 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The tank body 51 comprises a pair of fourth opposing walls 51L, 51R facing each other in the width direction Y, a pair of fifth opposing walls 51F, 51B facing each other in the front-to-back direction X, and a pair of sixth opposing walls 51D, 51U facing each other in the up-to-down direction Z. The pair of fourth opposing walls 51L, 51R, the pair of fifth opposing walls 51F, 51B, and the pair of sixth opposing walls 51D, 51U form a urine storage space 5S inside the urine tank 5 for storing cat urine UR. In other words, the urine tank 5 has a urine storage space 5S for storing cat urine UR.

[0048] In the pair of sixth opposing walls 51D, 51U, the sixth opposing wall 51U, which is positioned in the upper U direction in the vertical Z direction, has a second opening 5O that opens toward the upper U direction in the vertical Z direction. The second opening 5O is formed to penetrate the sixth opposing wall 51U. The second opening 5O communicates with the urine storage space 5S.

[0049] The urine tank 5 has a tank-side cylindrical portion 52 around the periphery of the second opening 5O. The tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is formed to protrude upward U from the upper surface of the sixth opposing wall 51U. The area of ​​the tank-side opening 5O2 formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is larger than the area of ​​the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31. Furthermore, the area of ​​the tank-side opening 5O2 formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is larger than the area of ​​the second opening 5O. In addition, the inner diameter of the tank-side opening 5O2 in the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is formed such that the diameter dimension in the front-rear direction X is larger than the diameter dimension in the width direction Y.

[0050] Furthermore, when viewed from above U in the vertical direction Z, the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is formed around the second opening 5O and the inclined surface 53, surrounding the second opening 5O and the inclined surface 53. The urine tank 5 then has a first urine storage space 5S2 formed by the sixth opposing wall 51U and the tank-side cylindrical portion 52, which can temporarily store urine UR.

[0051] In the urine tank 5, a first urine storage space 5S2 is formed by the sixth opposing wall 51U and the tank-side cylindrical portion 52, which can temporarily store urine UR. Therefore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, even when a large amount of urine UR is excreted, the first urine storage space 5S2 is formed in the middle of the path that the urine UR takes to the urine tank 5, thus preventing the urine UR from spilling out of the urine tank 5.

[0052] The inclined surface 53 is formed on the upper surface of the sixth opposing wall 51U so as to surround the second opening 5O.

[0053] The gripping portion 54 is formed to protrude forward F in the front-rear direction X from the fifth opposing wall 51F of the tank body 51, and has a hole 54H that penetrates in the vertical direction Z so that the caretaker's hand can enter. The hole 54H constitutes part of the coupling mechanism ME3, which will be described later.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the tank projection 55 is formed to protrude downward D from the lower surface of the sixth opposing wall 51D. In addition, a tank-side inclined surface 55F1, which constitutes part of the first guide mechanism ME1 described later, is formed at the rear B of the tank projection 55 in the front-rear direction X. Furthermore, a tank bottom surface 55F2, which constitutes part of the first guide mechanism ME1 described later, is formed at the lower D of the tank projection 55 in the vertical direction Z.

[0055] The tank-side inclined surface 55F1 is inclined downward D and rearward B. The tank-side inclined surface 55F1 works in cooperation with the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 to move the urine tank 5 upward U.

[0056] The tank bottom surface 55F2 is configured to be parallel to the horizontal plane. The tank bottom surface 55F2 works in cooperation with the top surface 21DU to move the urine tank 5 in the front-rear direction X while maintaining a horizontal orientation.

[0057] The cat litter CS shown in Figure 8 is spread on top of the fall prevention member 6. In the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the cat litter CS is formed mainly from silica or zeolite. More specifically, the cat litter CS is formed without containing solidifying agents such as bentonite. Therefore, even if a cat excretes urine UR in the cat litter box 1, the cat litter CS will not solidify. Therefore, even when a cat excretes, there is no need to dispose of a large amount of cat litter CS.

[0058] The fall prevention member 6 shown in Figure 3 prevents the cat litter CS from falling onto the lid member 3. When viewed from above U in the vertical direction Z, the fall prevention member 6 is positioned in the area of ​​the lid member 3 excluding the front F side in the front-to-back direction X. More specifically, when viewed from above U in the vertical direction Z, the fall prevention member 6 is positioned in the area of ​​the lid member 3 excluding the front F side in the front-to-back direction X so as not to overlap with the step member 11.

[0059] The fall prevention member 6 comprises a prevention member body 61, a first through hole 6H formed in the prevention member body 61 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction Z, and a first leg portion 62 formed on the lower surface of the prevention member body 61 so as to protrude downward D in the vertical direction Z.

[0060] Multiple first through-holes 6H are formed in the main body 61 of the prevention member. Each of the first through-holes 6H is formed to be smaller than the size of most cat litter CS, preventing the cat litter CS from falling below D of the fall prevention member 6.

[0061] The lower end of the first leg portion 62 in the vertical direction Z contacts the upper surface of the lid member 3. Therefore, even when a cat is sitting on the fall prevention member 6 via the cat litter CS, the first leg portion 62 prevents the fall prevention member 6 from wobbling above the lid member 3 U.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the fall prevention member 6, having this configuration, is positioned above the lid member 3 (U). For example, if the caretaker lifts the fall prevention member 6 upwards (U), the fall prevention member 6 can be removed from the lid member 3.

[0063] The step member 11 shown in Figure 3 prevents cat litter CS attached to the cat from scattering outside the cat litter box 1 when the cat that was inside the cat litter box 1 goes outside the cat litter box 1.

[0064] When viewed from above U in the vertical direction Z, the step member 11 is positioned in the front F region of the lid member 3 in the front-to-back direction X. More specifically, when viewed from above U in the vertical direction Z, the step member 11 is positioned in the front F region of the lid member 3 in the front-to-back direction X so as not to overlap with the fall prevention member 6.

[0065] In the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the step member 11 is positioned above the fall prevention member 6 in the vertical direction Z (U). Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the length of the fall prevention member 6 in the front-to-back direction X is longer than the length of the step member 11 in the front-to-back direction X. Therefore, although a cat may come onto the step member 11 when entering or exiting the second containment space 4S from the fifth opening 4O, this is only temporary during movement, and it is extremely rare for the cat to defecate on the step member 11. Normally, the cat defecates on the cat litter CS of the fall prevention member 6. As a result, most of the excreted urine UR is discharged into the rear B area in the front-to-back direction X of the fall prevention member 6.

[0066] The step member 11 comprises a step member body 111, a second through hole 11H formed in the step member body 111 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction Z, and a second leg portion 112 formed on the lower surface of the step member body 111 so as to protrude downward D in the vertical direction Z.

[0067] Multiple second through-holes 11H are formed in the step member body 111. Each of the second through-holes 11H is formed to be larger than the size of most cat litter CS, so that cat litter CS that adheres to the cat falls down D of the step member body 111 through the second through-holes 11H.

[0068] The lower end of the second leg portion 112 in the vertical direction Z contacts the upper surface of the lid member 3. Therefore, even when a cat is sitting on the step member 11, the second leg portion 112 prevents the step member 11 from wobbling above the lid member 3 U.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3, the step member 11 having this configuration is positioned above the lid member 3 (U). For example, if the caretaker lifts the step member 11 upwards (U), the step member 11 can be removed from the lid member 3.

[0070] The cap 7 shown in Figure 9 covers the third opening 3O of the lid member 3. The cap 7 comprises a cylindrical cap portion 71 and a mesh portion 72 positioned above the cylindrical cap portion 71 in the vertical direction Z and formed in a mesh shape.

[0071] The cap cylindrical portion 71 is provided with a flange portion 711 positioned upward U in the vertical direction Z, and the cap 7 is positioned in the third opening 3O by the flange portion 711 contacting the edge that forms the third opening 3O.

[0072] Furthermore, in the cap cylindrical portion 71, the size of the first cylindrical opening 712 located at the bottom D is formed to be smaller than the size of the second cylindrical opening 713 located at the top U. The cap 7 is then formed by the cap cylindrical portion 71 to create a second urine storage space 7S that can temporarily contain urine UR. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when a large amount of urine UR is excreted, the cat litter box 1 is formed in the path of the urine UR to the urine tank 5, thus preventing the urine UR from spilling out of the urine tank 5.

[0073] The mesh portion 72 is formed by a plurality of first components 721 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Z, and a plurality of second components 722 arranged to intersect with the first components 721.

[0074] By arranging the multiple first components 721 so that the spacing between them is smaller than the first through-hole 6H of the fall prevention member 6, it is possible to prevent small pieces of cat litter CS that fall through the first through-hole 6H of the fall prevention member 6 from flowing into the urine tank 5.

[0075] As shown in Figure 9, the cap 7 having this configuration is assembled to the periphery of the third opening 3O of the lid member 3. Then, for example, if the caretaker lifts the cap 7 upward U, the cap 7 can be removed from the lid member 3.

[0076] The on-off valve 8 opens and closes the third opening 3O. The on-off valve 8 comprises, for example, a shaft member 81 extending in the width direction Y, and a valve body 82 provided on the shaft member 81.

[0077] The shaft member 81 is formed to be elastically deformable, and the opening / closing valve 8 is attached to the cap 7 by inserting both ends of the shaft member 81 through holes 7H formed in the cap cylindrical portion 71.

[0078] The valve body 82 is formed to absorb urine UR by, for example, including pulp fibers that absorb urine UR. The valve body 82 also comprises a first valve portion 821 positioned rear B in the front-rear direction X with respect to the shaft member 81, and a second valve portion 822 positioned front F in the front-rear direction X with respect to the shaft member 81.

[0079] In this embodiment, the valve body 82 has a first valve portion 821 and a second valve portion 822 of the same size. When urine UR does not come into contact with the valve body 82, or when urine UR dries after time has passed since it came into contact with the valve body 82, the weights of the first valve portion 821 and the second valve portion 822 become equal and balanced, closing the third opening 3O. In other words, the on-off valve 8 closes the third opening 3O when it is not in contact with urine UR because the flow of urine UR stops. For most of the time of day, cats do not excrete urine UR. Therefore, for most of the time of day, the on-off valve 8 closes the third opening 3O. As a result, even when urine UR is stored in the urine tank 5, it is possible to suppress the odor of the urine UR from leaking to the outside of the cat litter box 1.

[0080] On the other hand, when a cat in the second containment space 4S excretes urine UR, some of the urine UR is absorbed by the cat litter CS, and some of the urine UR flows into the third opening 3O. The urine UR that flows into the third opening 3O comes into contact with the valve body 82, and the valve body 82 absorbs the urine UR. As a result, one of the valve parts 821 or 822 that has absorbed the urine UR becomes heavier than the other valve part 821 or 822 that has not absorbed the urine UR, disrupting the weight balance, and the on-off valve 8 opens the third opening 3O. In other words, when the on-off valve 8 is in contact with the urine UR as it flows in, it opens the third opening 3O, forming a flow path for the urine UR to flow towards the urine tank 5.

[0081] In the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, for the reasons described above, most of the excreted urine UR is discharged to the rear B side region in the front-rear direction X of the fall prevention member 6, so the urine UR flows along the arrow AR1 shown in Figure 9. As a result, most of the urine UR falls onto the first valve portion 821, causing the first valve portion 821 to move downward D and the second valve portion 822 to move upward U, thereby opening the third opening 3O by the on / off valve 8.

[0082] The on-off valve 8, having this configuration, is assembled to the cap 7 by elastically deforming the shaft member 81. Then, for example, if the caretaker elastically deforms the shaft member 81, the on-off valve 8 can be removed from the cap 7.

[0083] The scoop 91 is used to remove feces from the cat litter box 1 when the cat defecates. The scoop 91 has a second hook portion 912 that can be hung on the upper end of the third opposing walls 41L, 41R of the cover member 4, or on the upper end of the connecting wall 41B of the cover member 4. In other words, when not in use, the scoop 91 is hung on the wall of the cover member 4 by the second hook portion 912, and when in use, it is removed from the wall.

[0084] The holder 92 shown in Figure 6 is assembled to the cover member 4 and holds the cleaning water tank 93. The holder 92, which is assembled to the cover member 4, can be removed from the cover member 4.

[0085] The cleaning water tank 93 shown in Figure 1 is formed to be removable from the holder 92. The cleaning water tank 93 consists of a cleaning water tank body 931 having a cleaning water storage space inside and a sixth opening, and a cleaning water cap 932 that closes the sixth opening of the cleaning water tank body 931.

[0086] The cleaning water tank body 931 stores cleaning water, such as tap water. Then, as needed, the cleaning water cap 932 is removed from the cleaning water tank body 931 and the cleaning water is used to clean parts such as the lid member 3.

[0087] The washing water tank 93 is formed to be the same shape and size as, for example, a 500ml PET bottle that is commercially available and can hold water, juice, etc.

[0088] Therefore, even if the cleaning water tank body 931 and the cleaning water cap 932 are lost, a commercially available 500ml PET bottle body or cap can be used as a substitute.

[0089] The first guidance mechanism ME1 guides the movement of the urine tank 5 in the vertical direction Z while restricting its movement in the width direction Y when positioning the urine tank 5 in the correct position in the first storage space 2S of the container member 2.

[0090] The first guide mechanism ME1 consists of a container-side inclined surface GU2F1, a sliding surface GU2F2, a stopper surface GU2F3, a pair of fourth opposing walls 51L and 51R, a sixth opposing wall 51D, a tank-side inclined surface 55F1, a tank bottom surface 55F2, and an upper surface 21DU.

[0091] For example, when inserting or removing the urine tank 5, even if the caretaker mistakenly tries to move the urine tank 5 in either direction in the width direction Y, the fourth opposing walls 51L and 51R of the urine tank 5 come into contact with the first guide wall GU1, thereby preventing the urine tank 5 from moving in the width direction Y.

[0092] The connecting mechanism ME3 connects the urine tank 5 to the movable wall 22 when the entire urine tank 5 is positioned inside the container body 21, while the connection between the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 can be released when the front side portion F of the urine tank 5 is positioned outside the container body 21.

[0093] The connecting mechanism ME3 consists of a first hook portion (hook portion) 223 provided on the movable wall 22, and a hole portion 54H provided on the urine tank 5 that can engage with the first hook portion 223.

[0094] The second guidance mechanism ME2 guides the movement of the movable wall 22 connected to the urine tank 5 in the front-rear direction X when positioning the urine tank 5 in the correct position in the first storage space 2S of the container member 2.

[0095] The second guide mechanism ME2 is composed of a first guide surface GU1F, a second guide surface GU3F, and a projection 2223. In the vertical direction Z, the projection 2223 can be positioned in the gap formed between the first guide surface GU1F and the second guide surface GU3F. In other words, the projection 2223 can be clamped between the first guide surface GU1F and the second guide surface GU3F. The gap formed between the first guide surface GU1F and the second guide surface GU3F extends linearly along the front-rear direction X.

[0096] Next, the case in which the urine tank 5, which is located outside the container member body 21, is placed in its regular position inside the container member body 21 will be explained using Figures 15 to 18.

[0097] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing, in order, how to arrange the urine tank 5, which is located outside the container body 21, in its normal position inside the container body 21. Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing, in order, how to arrange the urine tank 5, which is located outside the container body 21, in its normal position inside the container body 21. Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing, in order, how to arrange the urine tank 5, which is located outside the container body 21, in its normal position inside the container body 21. Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing, in order, how to arrange the urine tank 5, which is located outside the container body 21, in its normal position inside the container body 21.

[0098] First, the caretaker inserts the rear B portion of the urine tank 5 in the front-to-back direction X through the fourth opening 2O2, and places the urine tank 5 on the container member body 21 so that the bottom surface 55F2 of the tank protrusion 55 of the urine tank 5 and the periphery of the fourth opening 2O2 are in contact, as shown in Figure 15, for example.

[0099] Next, the caretaker connects the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 by inserting the engaging portion 2232 of the first hook portion 223 on the movable wall 22 into the hole 54H of the grip portion 54 of the urine tank 5 (see Figure 13). In other words, the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 are connected by the connecting mechanism ME3.

[0100] Next, the caretaker pushes the movable wall 22 slightly towards the rear B side in the front-to-back direction X, thereby inserting the tank protrusion 55 into the container body 21, as shown in Figure 16.

[0101] In this state, the bottom surface 55F2 of the tank protrusion 55 and the upper surface 21DU of the bottom wall 21D are in contact.

[0102] In this state, in the front-to-back direction X, each of the pair of protrusions 2223 (see Figure 13) faces the periphery of the fourth opening 2O2. The caretaker then moves the movable wall 222 and the urine tank 5 to the rear B by bringing the pair of protrusions 2223 closer together in the width direction Y, thereby elastically deforming the elastic deformation parts 222L and 222R.

[0103] Then, as the movable wall 222 and the urine tank 5 move backward B, contact between the protrusion 2223 and the fourth opening 2O2 is released, the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation parts 222L and 222R is released, and the pair of protrusions 2223 move away from each other, with each of the protrusions 2223 being inserted into the gap between the second guide surface GU3F and the first guide surface GU1F in the vertical direction Z (see Figures 12 and 13).

[0104] Eventually, as shown in Figure 17, the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 of the tank protrusion 55 and the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 of the second guide wall GU2 come into contact.

[0105] In this state, if the caregiver further pushes the movable wall 22 towards the rear B in the front-rear direction X, the urine tank 5 moves upward U as it moves towards the rear B, as shown in Figure 18, due to the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 and the container-side inclined surface GU2F1. As a result, the tank bottom surface 55F2 of the tank protrusion 55 separates from the upper surface 21DU of the bottom wall 21D.

[0106] Furthermore, when the fifth opposing wall 51B of the urine tank 5 comes into contact with the stopper surface GU2F3 of the second guide wall GU2, the movement of the urine tank 5 toward the rear B side is restricted, and the urine tank 5 is positioned in its correct location in the first storage space 2S.

[0107] Furthermore, as the urine tank 5 moves upward U, the lower D end of the cap cylindrical portion 71 is inserted into the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 formed in the urine tank 5.

[0108] Furthermore, in the first containment space 2S, when the urine tank 5 is placed in its proper position, the fourth opening 2O2 is closed by the movable wall 22.

[0109] On the other hand, when removing the urine tank 5, which is positioned in the correct location in the first storage space 2S, from the container member 2, the opposite operation to the above operation should be performed.

[0110] Then, after discarding the urine UR stored in the urine tank 5, the same operation is performed again to place the urine tank 5 inside the container member 2.

[0111] The above procedure is performed when urine UR is stored in the urine tank 5 and the cat litter box 1 is not very dirty. On the other hand, if the cat litter box 1 is very dirty, the parts that make up the cat litter box 1 are disassembled (each part assembled from each other is removed), each part is cleaned, and then the parts are reassembled to form the cat litter box 1.

[0112] As described above, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container member 2 having a first opening 2O1 that opens upward U and a first storage space 2S, a lid member 3 positioned above U of the container member 2 and closing the first opening 2O1, and a urine tank 5 positioned in the first storage space 2S. The urine tank 5 has a urine storage space 5S for storing cat urine UR and has a second opening 5O that opens upward U in the vertical direction Z and communicates with the urine storage space 5S. The lid member 3 has a third opening 3O that opens downward D in the vertical direction Z and has an inclined surface 3F that allows urine UR to flow towards the third opening 3O by gravity. The lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 are configured so that urine UR flows from the lid member 3 to the urine tank 5 through the second opening 5O and the third opening 3O. The lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 are configured to be removable from the container member 2. Therefore, if the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment becomes dirty, the lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 can be removed from the container member 2, and then the container member 2, lid member 3, and urine tank 5 can be washed, thus making cleaning easier.

[0113] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the lid member 3 further has a lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 around the periphery of the third opening 3O. The urine tank 5 further has a tank-side cylindrical portion 52 around the periphery of the second opening 5O. The area of ​​the tank-side opening 5O2 formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is larger than the area of ​​the lid member-side opening 3O2 formed by the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31. When the urine tank 5 is placed in a predetermined regular position inside the container member 2, the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 is positioned above the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 in the vertical direction Z, U. With these configurations, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment can suppress leakage of urine UR from the urine tank 5.

[0114] Furthermore, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment further includes a cap 7 having a cylindrical cap portion 71 and a mesh portion 72 that is positioned above the cap portion 71 in the vertical direction Z and is formed in a mesh shape. The cap 7 is positioned on the lid member 3 such that the mesh portion 72 covers the third opening 3O. The cap 7 is configured to be removable from the lid member 3. Due to these configurations, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment can be cleaned by removing the cap 7 from the lid member 3.

[0115] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, when the urine tank 5 is positioned in the correct location on the container member 2, a portion of the cap cylindrical portion 71 is inserted into a portion of the tank-side cylindrical portion 52. Due to this configuration, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment can prevent urine UR from leaking from the urine tank 5 and facilitate cleaning the inside of the container member 2.

[0116] Furthermore, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment is further equipped with an on / off valve 8 that opens and closes the third opening 3O. The on / off valve 8 opens the third opening 3O when it is in contact with urine UR as urine UR flows in, and closes the third opening 3O when it is not in contact with urine UR as the flow of urine UR stops. The on / off valve 8 is detachably attached to the cap 7, and the cap 7 is configured to be detachably attached to the lid member 3. With these configurations, the third opening 3O can be closed by the on / off valve 8 at times other than when urine UR is urinated in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment. Therefore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, even when urine UR is stored in the urine storage space 5S of the urine tank 5, it is possible to suppress the leakage of the odor of urine UR to the outside of the cat litter box 1. Moreover, with the above configuration, if the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment is dirty, the cap 7 can be removed from the lid member 3, and the on / off valve 8 can be removed from the cap 7, and then the lid member 3, cap 7, and on / off valve 8 can be washed, making cleaning easy.

[0117] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the container member 2 comprises a container member body 21 having a pair of first opposing walls 21L, 21R facing each other in the width direction Y, and a pair of second opposing walls 21F, 21B facing each other in the front-rear direction X, and a movable wall 22 that is movable relative to the container member body 21. A fourth opening 2O2 is formed in one of the second opposing walls 21F, 21B, which penetrates the second opposing wall 21F. The fourth opening 2O2 is closed by the movable wall 22. In addition, the urine tank 5 can be inserted into and removed from the first containment space 2S through the fourth opening 2O2. For these reasons, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, if there is a small amount of urine UR stored in the urine tank 5, the urine tank 5 can be removed from the first containment space 2S through the fourth opening 2O2, the urine UR can be discarded, and then the urine tank 5 can be placed back into the first containment space 2S through the fourth opening 2O2. Therefore, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment makes it easier to dispose of the urine UR.

[0118] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 are provided with a connecting mechanism ME3 that can be switched between an engaged state in which the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 are connected, and an unengaged state in which the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 are not connected.

[0119] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the connecting mechanism ME3 consists of a first hook portion (hook portion) 223 provided on the movable wall 22 and a hole portion 54H provided on the urine tank 5 that can engage with the first hook portion (hook portion) 223. The connecting mechanism ME3 connects the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 when the entire urine tank 5 is located inside the container member body 21, while the connection between the urine tank 5 and the movable wall 22 can be released when the front F portion of the urine tank 5 is located outside the container member body 21.

[0120] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 is formed to protrude upward U in the vertical direction Z from the upper surface of the sixth opposing wall (wall) 51U that forms the urine tank 5. The urine tank 5 has a first urine storage space 5S2 formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 and the sixth opposing wall (wall) 51U to temporarily contain urine UR. Therefore, even if a large amount of urine UR is excreted in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the urine UR can be temporarily stored in the first urine storage space 5S2, thereby preventing the urine UR from leaking out of the urine tank 5.

[0121] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the lid member 3 is provided with a lid-side cylindrical portion 31 that protrudes downward D from the lid member 3 on the periphery of the third opening 3O, the container member 2 is provided with a container-side inclined surface GU2F1 that is inclined upward U and forward F, and the urine tank 5 is provided with a tank-side inclined surface 55F1 that is inclined downward D and backward B, and a tank-side cylindrical portion 52 that is located on the periphery of the second opening 5O and protrudes upward U from the urine tank 5.The tank-side inclined surface 55F1 is positioned on the urine tank 5 and the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 is positioned on the container member 2 such that when the urine tank 5 is moved from forward F to backward B, if the position of the tank-side cylindrical portion 55F1 and the position of the lid-side cylindrical portion 31 coincide in the vertical direction Z, the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 and the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 come into contact, causing the urine tank 5 to move upward U. Therefore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, leakage of urine from the urine tank 5 can be suppressed by minimizing the distance between the lid member 3 and the urine tank 5 in the vertical direction Z. In the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, "when the position of the tank-side cylindrical portion 52 and the position of the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 coincide in the vertical direction Z" refers to the positional relationship in which the lid member-side cylindrical portion 31 is inserted into the tank-side cylindrical portion when the urine tank 5 is moved upward U.

[0122] Furthermore, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment further includes cat litter CS that is formed without a solidifying agent. Therefore, even when a cat defecates, the amount of cat litter CS that solidifies together with the urine UR is suppressed, thereby reducing the amount of cat litter (CS) to be discarded and lowering running costs.

[0123] Furthermore, the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment further includes a cover member 4 positioned above the container member 2 in the vertical direction Z (U). A scoop 91 can be hung on the upper end of the cover member 4. The cover member 4 is configured to be removable from the container member 2. With these configurations, in the cat litter box 1 according to this embodiment, the container member 2 and the cover member 4 can be cleaned with the cover member 4 removed from the container member 2, thus making cleaning of the container member 2 and the cover member 4 easy.

[0124] [Second Embodiment] Next, the cat litter box 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. In the configuration of the cat litter box 1A according to the second embodiment, components that are the same as those in the cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0125] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the cat litter box 1A according to the second embodiment. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the cat litter box 1A shown in Figure 19. The cat litter box 1A according to this embodiment comprises a container member 2, a lid member 3, a cover member 4A, a urine tank 5, cat litter CS, a fall prevention member 6, a step member 11A, a cap 7, an on / off valve 8, a scoop 91, a holder 92A, a flushing water tank 93A, a first guide mechanism ME1, a second guide mechanism ME2, and a connecting mechanism ME3.

[0126] The cover member 4A has a through hole 4H that penetrates the cover member 4A in the vertical direction Z.

[0127] Furthermore, the holder 92A has a through hole 92H that penetrates the holder 92A in the vertical direction Z.

[0128] Furthermore, the cleaning water tank 93A has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the cleaning water tank body 931.

[0129] The step member 11A has a through hole 11H formed below the cleaning water tank, which penetrates the step body 111 in the vertical direction Z.

[0130] In the cat litter box 1A according to this embodiment, cleaning water flows out from the through-hole of the cleaning water tank 93A, the cleaning water flows out from the through-hole 92H of the holder 92A, the cleaning water flows out from the through-hole 11H of the step member 11A, and flows out onto the upper surface of the lid member 3. Therefore, the upper surface of the lid member 3 is cleaned with cleaning water, and the upper surface of the lid member 3 can be kept clean at all times.

[0131] [Third Embodiment] Next, the cat litter box 1B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 21. In the configuration of the cat litter box 1B according to the third embodiment, components that are the same as those in the cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0132] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the cap 7B and on / off valve 8B of the cat litter box 1B according to the third embodiment. The cap cylindrical portion 71B of the cap 7B shown in Figure 21 further has cap protrusions 723. The cap protrusions 723 are formed to protrude outward. Furthermore, the cap protrusions 723 are arranged to be equally spaced radially when viewed from the vertical direction Z.

[0133] The cap 7B according to this embodiment has a cap projection 723, which makes it easy to grip the cat litter box 1B when disassembling, assembling, and cleaning it. Therefore, because the cap 7B according to this embodiment has a cap projection 723, disassembly, assembly, and cleaning of the cat litter box 1B can be made easier.

[0134] In the cap 7B according to this embodiment, the mesh portion 72 is provided with a wall portion 724W. The wall portion 724W is provided below D in the vertical direction Z of the mesh portion 72. The wall portion 724W comprises a first wall portion 724W1 and a second wall portion 724W2.

[0135] The first wall portion 724W1 is positioned below D in the vertical direction Z of the mesh portion 72 and is provided to cover the entire circumference of the mesh portion 72. The first wall portion 724W1 can be fitted into a groove formed at the upper end of the cap cylindrical portion 71. By fitting the first wall portion 724W1 into the groove of the cap cylindrical portion 71B, the mesh portion 72 can be assembled to the cap cylindrical portion 71B. In addition, a first groove DI1 is formed in the first wall portion 724W1. The first groove DI1 is formed to extend upward U in the vertical direction Z from the lower end of the first wall portion 724W1.

[0136] The second wall portion 724W2 is positioned above the first wall portion 724W1 in the vertical direction Z, for example, so as to cover half of the front side F of the mesh portion 72 in the front-rear direction X. When the mesh portion 72 is assembled to the cap cylindrical portion 71B by fitting the first wall portion 724W1 into the groove of the cap cylindrical portion 71B, the second wall portion 724W2 is exposed from the upper surface of the lid member 3 in the vertical direction Z. With the above configuration, the second wall portion 724W2 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 8B by preventing liquids such as cat urine UR and washing water from flowing onto the second valve portion 822. In other words, the second wall portion 724W2 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 8B by controlling the flow of liquid.

[0137] A second groove DI2 is formed in the cap cylindrical portion 71B. The second groove DI2 is formed to extend upward D in the vertical direction Z from the upper end of the cap cylindrical portion 71B.

[0138] The on-off valve 8B shown in Figure 21 has a shaft member 81 and a valve body 82 integrally formed. The shaft member 81 and valve body 82 according to this embodiment are integrally formed from, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0139] In the cat litter box 1B according to this embodiment, both ends of the shaft member 81 of the on-off valve 8B are inserted into the second groove DI2 of the cap cylindrical portion 71B. Then, the mesh portion 72 is moved from the top U to the bottom D in the vertical direction Z, and both ends of the shaft member 81 of the on-off valve 8B are inserted into the first groove DI1 of the first wall portion 724W1. As a result, the on-off valve 8B is assembled to the cap 7B by clamping both ends of the shaft member 81 between the periphery of the first groove DI1 and the periphery of the second groove DI2. To remove the on-off valve 8B from the cap 7B, the reverse of the above operation should be performed.

[0140] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the cat litter box 1C according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 22, 23, and 24. In the configuration of the cat litter box 1C according to the fourth embodiment, components that are the same as those in the cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0141] Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the cat litter box 1C according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary tray 12 shown in Figure 22 positioned above the fall prevention member 6C. Figure 24 is a perspective view showing the position of the auxiliary tray 12 on the lid member 3 shown in Figure 22.

[0142] The fall prevention member 6C according to this embodiment is formed in a tray shape without having a first through hole 6H. The fall prevention member 6C also has an inclined surface 6CF and a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the fall prevention member 6C in the vertical direction Z. The inclined surface 6CF is inclined downward toward the through hole.

[0143] The cat litter box 1C according to this embodiment further includes an auxiliary tray 12. The auxiliary tray 12 is positioned on the fall prevention member 6C in the vertical direction Z.

[0144] The auxiliary tray 12 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape and has a tray body 121 and a plurality of third through holes 12H formed to penetrate the tray body 121 in the vertical direction Z. The size of each of the third through holes 12H is formed to be smaller than the size of most of the cat litter CS, preventing the cat litter CS from falling down D of the auxiliary tray 12.

[0145] Furthermore, the auxiliary tray 12 is positioned above the lid member 3 U such that the inclination angle of the surface of the tray body 121 with respect to the horizontal plane is slightly smaller than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 3F2 of the lid member 3 with respect to the horizontal plane. For this reason, in the vertical direction Z, the auxiliary tray 12 is positioned above the lid member 3 U in an inclined manner such that the front end F of the auxiliary tray 12 is located downwards and the rear end B of the auxiliary tray 12 is located upwards.

[0146] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 22 and 24, the auxiliary tray 12 is positioned so that, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, it is located B behind the imaginary line IML passing through the rear edge of the third opening 3O in the front-to-back direction X. Therefore, the cat's urine UR and other liquids such as washing water do not directly come into contact with the third opening 3O and the on-off valve 8. Instead, the urine UR and other liquids such as washing water flow from the rear B side in the front-to-back direction X due to gravity and reach the third opening 3O and the on-off valve 8.

[0147] The cat litter box 1C according to this embodiment includes an auxiliary tray 12, which prevents the cat litter CS from flowing into the third opening 3O of the lid member 3. Furthermore, the auxiliary tray 12 is positioned above the fall prevention member 6C U, and is positioned above the lid member 3 U so as to be inclined in the vertical direction Z, with the front F end of the auxiliary tray 12 positioned downwards and the rear B end of the auxiliary tray 12 positioned upwards. Therefore, in this cat litter box 1C, liquids such as urine UR can flow over the surface of the tray body 121 and be directed towards the third opening 3O.

[0148] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, the cat litter box 1D according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25, 26, 27, and 28. In the configuration of the cat litter box 1D according to the fifth embodiment, components that are the same as those in the cat litter box 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0149] Figure 25 is a plan view showing the movable wall 22D and urine tank 5D in the cat litter box 1D according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 26 is a side view showing the movable wall 22D and urine tank 5D in the cat litter box 1D shown in Figure 25. Figure 27 is a side view showing the state in which the urine tank 5D is positioned in the correct location inside the container member 2D in the cat litter box 1D shown in Figure 25. Figure 28 is a side view showing the operation of removing the urine tank 5D from the container member 2D in the cat litter box 1D shown in Figure 25.

[0150] In this embodiment, when viewed from the vertical Z direction, the four corners of the tank body 51 of the urine tank 5D are formed in a curved shape, as shown in Figure 25. This makes it easier to clean the urine tank 5D.

[0151] Furthermore, the urine tank 5D includes a tank body 51, a tank-side cylindrical portion 52D formed on the tank body 51, and a gripping portion 54. In other words, the urine tank 5D according to this embodiment does not have an inclined surface 53.

[0152] Furthermore, the cylindrical tank portion 52D according to this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a threaded portion on its outer circumferential surface. The urine tank 5D according to this embodiment further includes a cap having a threaded portion on its inner circumferential surface that screws onto the threaded portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical tank portion 52D. When the urine tank 5D is removed from the container member 2D, the threaded portion of the cap can be screwed onto the threaded portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical tank portion 52D, thereby preventing urine from spilling from the urine tank 5D.

[0153] The threaded portion of the cylindrical tank portion 52D having the above configuration is the same diameter and size as, for example, the threaded portion formed on the bottle body of a 500ml PET bottle. Furthermore, the cap that screws onto the threaded portion formed on the outer circumference of the cylindrical tank portion 52D is the same diameter and size as, for example, the cap of a 500ml PET bottle. Therefore, in the cat litter box 1D according to this embodiment, even if the cap is lost, a commercially available 500ml PET bottle cap can be used as a substitute.

[0154] In the urine tank 5D, as shown in Figure 26, when the sixth opposing wall 51D and the upper surface 21DU are in contact, the upper end of the tank-side cylindrical portion 52D is inclined such that, in the vertical direction Z, the upper end on the rear B side of the tank-side cylindrical portion 52D is positioned upward, and the upper end on the front F side of the tank-side cylindrical portion 52D is positioned downward.

[0155] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, the urine tank 5D according to this embodiment does not have a tank protrusion 55, and the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 that the tank protrusion 55 had is formed at the end on the front F side of the tank body 51.

[0156] On the other hand, the movable wall 22D in the container member 2D has a rod-shaped portion 2231, an engaging portion 2232, and a tip portion 2233, as shown in Figure 27. A container-side inclined surface GU2F1 is formed on the tip portion 2233.

[0157] In the front-to-back direction X of such a cat litter box 1D, when the movable wall 22D is moved from the front F side to the rear B side, and the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 and the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 come into contact, the urine tank 5D moves upward U, so that the urine tank 5D is in the correct position.

[0158] Then, when urine UR is stored inside the urine tank 5D, as shown in Figure 28, the movable wall 22D is moved from the rear B side to the front F side in the front-rear direction X, and first, the contact between the container-side inclined surface GU2F1 and the tank-side inclined surface 55F1 is released, thereby moving the urine tank 5D from the upper U side to the lower D side in the vertical direction Z.

[0159] Furthermore, when the movable wall 22D is moved from the rear side B to the front side F, the engaging portion 2232 of the movable wall 22D is inserted into the hole 54H of the grip portion 54 of the urine tank 5D, thereby connecting the urine tank 5D and the movable wall 22D.

[0160] Subsequently, by moving the movable wall 22D from the rear side B to the front side F, the urine tank 5D can be removed from the container member 2D.

[0161] The above description is based on embodiments of cat litter boxes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, among the cat litter boxes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the multiple embodiments, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be combined with a part of the configuration of another embodiment. Such modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and this will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Cat Litter Box 2 Container members 21 Container component body 21L First Opposing Wall 21R 1st Opposing Wall 21F Second Opposing Wall 21B Second opposing wall 22, 22D Moving Wall 223 First hook section (hook section) 2O1 1st opening 2S First containment space 2O2 4th opening 3. Lid member 3F Slope 3O 3rd opening 31 Lid member side cylindrical part 3O2 Lid member side opening 4 Cover component 5.5D urine tank 5O Second opening 5S Urine storage space 5S2 First Urine Collection Space 51U 6th opposing wall (wall) 52 Tank-side cylindrical section 54H Hole 5O2 Tank side opening 7, 7B cap 71, 71B Cap cylindrical part 72 Reticulated part 8, 8B Shut-off valve 91 Shovel B Backward CS cat litter D Downward F Forward GU2F2 Container side slope L first direction ME3 connection mechanism R Second direction U upward UR urine X Anteroposterior direction Y width direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A container member having a first opening that opens upward and a first storage space, A lid member is positioned above the container member and closes the first opening, A urine tank is placed in the first containment space, Equipped with, The urine tank has a urine storage space for storing cat urine, and has a second opening that opens upward in the vertical direction and communicates with the urine storage space. The lid member has a third opening that opens downward in the vertical direction, and has an inclined surface that directs the urine toward the third opening by gravity. The lid member and the urine tank are configured such that the urine flows from the lid member to the urine tank through the second and third openings. The lid member and the urine tank are configured to be removable from the container member. The lid member further has a lid member side cylindrical portion that protrudes downward from the lid member at the periphery of the third opening, The urine tank further has a tank-side cylindrical portion at the periphery of the second opening, The area of ​​the tank-side opening formed by the tank-side cylindrical portion is larger than the area of ​​the lid-side opening formed by the lid-side cylindrical portion. When the urine tank is positioned in a predetermined, regular position inside the container member, the cylindrical portion on the lid member is positioned above the cylindrical portion on the tank side in the vertical direction. A cat litter box characterized by the following features.

2. The cap further comprises a cylindrical cap portion and a mesh member positioned above the cylindrical cap portion in the vertical direction and formed in a mesh shape, The cap is positioned on the lid member such that the mesh member covers the third opening. The cap is configured to be removable from the lid member. The cat litter box according to claim 1.

3. When the urine tank is positioned in the correct location on the container member, a portion of the cap's cylindrical part is inserted into a portion of the tank's cylindrical part. The cat litter box according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes an on / off valve for opening and closing the third opening, The aforementioned on / off valve is When the urine flows in and comes into contact with the urine, the third opening is opened. When the flow of urine stops, the third opening closes in a state of non-contact with the urine. The on / off valve is configured to be removable from the cap. The cat litter box according to claim 3.

5. The container member is A container member body having a pair of first opposing walls facing each other in the width direction and a pair of second opposing walls facing each other in the front-rear direction, A movable wall is provided so as to be movable relative to the container member body, Equipped with, A fourth opening is formed in one of the pair of second opposing walls, which penetrates the second opposing wall. The fourth opening is closed by the movable wall, The urine tank can be inserted into and removed from the first storage space through the fourth opening. The cat litter box according to claim 1.

6. The urine tank and the movable wall are provided with a connecting mechanism that can be switched between an engaged state, which connects the urine tank and the movable wall, and an unengaged state, which disconnects the urine tank and the movable wall. The cat litter box according to claim 5.

7. The connecting mechanism consists of a hook portion provided on the movable wall and a hole portion provided in the urine tank that can engage with the hook portion. When the hole is positioned outside the container member, it is possible to disconnect the urine tank and the movable wall, thereby creating an unconnected state. When the urine tank is moved in the front-to-back direction inside the container member, it is possible to connect the urine tank and the movable wall as an integrated unit. The cat litter box according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned cylindrical portion on the tank side is formed to protrude upward in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the wall forming the urine tank. The urine tank has a first urine storage space formed by the cylindrical part on the tank side and the wall, which temporarily stores the urine. The cat litter box according to claim 1.

9. The lid member is provided with a cylindrical portion on the periphery of the third opening that protrudes downward from the lid member. The container member is provided with a container-side inclined surface that is inclined upward and forward. The urine tank is provided with a tank-side inclined surface that slopes downward and backward, and a tank-side cylindrical portion located at the periphery of the second opening and protruding upward from the urine tank. When the urine tank is moved from the front to the rear, if the position of the cylindrical portion on the tank side and the position of the cylindrical portion on the lid member side coincide in the vertical direction, the inclined surface on the tank side and the inclined surface on the container side come into contact, causing the urine tank to move upward. The inclined surface on the tank side is positioned on the urine tank, and the inclined surface on the container member is positioned on the container member. The cat litter box according to claim 1.

10. The cat litter further comprises a form that does not contain a solidifying agent. The cat litter box according to claim 1.

11. The container member further comprises a cover member positioned above it in the vertical direction, A shovel is hung on the upper end of the cover member. The cover member is configured to be removable from the container member. A cat litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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